The best waterside campgrounds in Vermont

Vermont’s waterside camping scene is hard to beat—over 2,000 options line lakes, rivers, and quiet ponds across the state. For an average of $50 a night (and some sites dipping as low as $5), you can pitch a tent or park a rig right where the water’s within easy reach. favorite campsites like Timbertrail Farm (417 reviews), Sunrise Farm (391 reviews), and Greenbush Farm (310 reviews) fill up fast—locals know these spots for their crisp swimming holes and easy hiking access. Winter brings out snow sports fans, while summer campers light up the evening with campfires. Showers and pet-friendly rules are standard at many sites, so you don’t have to rough it unless you want to. Pack your gear, bring your dog, and get ready to wake up next to the water.

98% (9.3K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Vermont’s waterside camping scene is hard to beat—over 2,000 options line lakes, rivers, and quiet ponds across the state. For an average of $50 a night (and some sites dipping as low as $5), you can pitch a tent or park a rig right where the water’s within easy reach. favorite campsites like Timbertrail Farm (417 reviews), Sunrise Farm (391 reviews), and Greenbush Farm (310 reviews) fill up fast—locals know these spots for their crisp swimming holes and easy hiking access. Winter brings out snow sports fans, while summer campers light up the evening with campfires. Showers and pet-friendly rules are standard at many sites, so you don’t have to rough it unless you want to. Pack your gear, bring your dog, and get ready to wake up next to the water.

98% (9.3K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Timbertrail Farm

99%

(566)

10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Shaftsbury, VT

Come see Lake Shaftsbury State Park! This 200 year old farm is at the top of a dead end road on 150 acres. It sits in a region of Bennington County formerly called Healing Springs Vermont. The springs that flow off of West Mountain come down through the farm and across Route 7 where they feed the picturesque state park! Best drinking water, anywhere to the left of the chimney at the white house. Arrive at our 150 acre property at the top of this dead-end road.. (Please stay left all the way up to the top...the road becomes our driveway).. Step out onto this 200-year-old farm at your own private site all of which are several acres each minimum.. Walk to streams ponds and Lake Shaftsbury State Park.

2. Little Sister's Campsite

97%

(15)

3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Newport, VT

As private as private gets but only 6 miles to Newport Vt. There is a creek and a one acre pond (20 feet deep). It is all mixed hard and softwoods. It has some magnificent old growth trees 100 foot tall. There is a good rd that my friend has used with his Lincoln. Most any vehicle (car or Pickup)can get to the site. It gets a little tricky if you are pulling a trailer. A small one is OK but a large one - not so much....... The rd goes 1/2 mile to the rear of the land. Moose, deer and other critters visit too. We live 1/2 mile away from where you enter the woodlot. Our house is on Brownington Pond (200+ acres) & campers can use this site for swimming, boating & fishing. For more info call 863220 5881 Excellent drinking water is available from the hose at our house. Fires are allowed and we supply the firewood at no extra charge.

3. La Lu Farm camp site

96%

(58)

6 sites · Tents, Lodging · Warren, VT

We live in 44 acres in beautiful Vermont! We are a family of 3 living in Warren, Vermont. We have 10 Goats Constancia, Lucia and Kevin. Years ago a friend gave us a belly goat, we called him Manolo. Then another friend gave us 3 girls, Maybe, Maggie and Ginger. Ginger was the mom, and they gave us 2 babies the first year. Sesame and Manolito, since then, we have been growing and growing, having now, 10 goats and Luckily we have been able to share our farm, with many woofers, with many schools, yurt lovers and community members, that enjoyed coming to the farm and l exploring Vermont. La Lu farm: Local Agricultural land use on lincoln Gap rd La Lu farm is a small goat farm located in the green mountains of Vermont , in Warren. The Argentinean Constancia Gomez and Ex Sugarbush executive chef Kevin Ritchie innovate everyday with new recipes. We are farming 48 acres mostly wooded both sides of Lincoln Brook, on Lincoln Gap rd. We are reclaiming some meadows. We have goats. Our goal is to preserve and protect the land. Thanks for supporting local farmers. Stop by for a visit, and pet the goats , feed them, and share the love for nature.

4. Willoughby Views Year Round Camp

93%

(55)

114 sites · Tents · Brownington, VT

Wildlife watch! Bald Eagles, Hawks, Moose, Deer, Beaver, Bear, Coyotes, Peeping Frogs...Magnificent 250 pristine acres with 360 degree views into Canada, and distant overlook of Willoughby Lake. Primitive camping, dry camps, cabin with electric. Clean, new PortaPotty on site. Week long Wedding camps available. Swim, fish. and slide in nearby crystal clear Lake Willoughby, private streams, and brookside waterfalls. Campsites, and rustic accomodations. Garden Fitness trail in progress. Local Farmstands with fresh veggies, flowers, and pick your own Wedding bouquets.

Public campgrounds in Vermont

Camp Plymouth Campground

14 sites · Tents, RVs · in Camp Plymouth State Park

83%

(6)

Brighton Campground

59 sites · Tents, RVs · in Brighton State Park

67%

(3)

Grand Isle Campground

74 sites · Tents, RVs · in Grand Isle State Park

Stories from the community

K

Kim

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Timbertrail Farm

Spectacular view. Great spot for a vehicle with higher clearance.

J

Jonathan

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Timbertrail Farm

Loved it! Beautiful view, spacious and clean campsite.

E

Erin

October 2025

Weekend Trip to La Lu Farm camp site

La Lu Farm is a beautiful property! The Goat Yurt is comfortable and the wood-burning stove makes it very cozy. The yurt is a good base camp for exploring the cute nearby towns and hiking in the Green Mountains. On a cold night, be sure to bring a warm sleeping bag and extra firewood (also, bring toilet paper for the outhouse). My spouse and I had lovely stay and would recommend!

A

Alison

October 2025

16 ft car

Weekend Trip to Timbertrail Farm

This was a beautiful. Secluded spot to spend the night car camping. The view was stunning. I loved being under the Maple trees next to a rock wall.

J

Joshua

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Timbertrail Farm

What a spectacular spot. The views can be beat. And Mike is quick to reply if you have any questions.

M

Marshall-Ben

October 2025

4 ft campervan

1 night at Timbertrail Farm

Beautiful, secluded hilltop location. Having tea in the morning looking out of the view was wonderful.

Stacey

October 2025

Tent

4 nights at Timbertrail Farm

We have been here a number of times. This spot never disappoints. One of our favs!

J

Justen

October 2025

Tent

2 nights at La Lu Farm camp site

My partner and I booked a camping trip at La Lu's Farm and we loved it. We were there in early October and the foliage around the property was beautiful. We stayed in one of the Yurts and it was super cozy. The goats were super friendly too! Also, I really appreciate how responsive Constancia was to all of our questions!

Jacob

October 2025

7 nights at La Lu Farm camp site

My partner and I spent a week at LaLu Farms for a getaway and to experience Vermont during the beginning of Fall. Constancia was a fantastic contact leading up to our trip, texting me various places we should try for local foods and trails. When we arrived, her husband, Kevin, greeted us and walked us down to the yurt(about a 3 minute walk from where we parked). We were provided a good amount of firewood for the week, and we're told to take any wood we found in the surrounding woods if we needed more. The yurt was nice and cozy, with a cast iron heater to keep us warm on the cooler nights. The view of Green Mountain National Forest from the porch was worth the trip in of itself!! Kevin and Constancia would check in if they were out when we returned, but let us be and enjoy the trip. The goats (8 of them) were such sweethearts. Very shy at first, but by the last day they were walking up to us and trying to be part of the family. The whole yurt and area we started felt like it was our own little goat farm. There was a compost outhouse near the yurt, which was very well kept and much better than we imagined! There is a shower and running toilet in the barn, which we used a few times. It does have a little smell of a barn, but nothing too overpowering and was very nice when coming back from a long hike. The village of Waitsfield was a hidden gem. About 10 minutes from the farm, it has everything you need.

S

Shayna

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Timbertrail Farm

I needed a last minute getaway in peace and quiet, and this spot delivered. Easy directions to my campsite, lots of room to spread out, and it felt very private. No other campers this weekend, but if there were I do not believe we would ever meet. And that is perfect :) Gorgeous sunrise and view! Forever wild field all around and lots of wildlife. Especially enjoyed the morning visit to the compost pit, what an experience! Added to my favorite spots! Thank you for your kind hospitality Mike.

C

Carly

September 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Timbertrail Farm

We stopped on our way through biking the VTXL - gorgeous site with amazing views and all the primitive amenities one could ask for! Highly recommended

C

Chris

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

1 night at Timbertrail Farm

Awesome view from the campsite, having some chairs provided was nice too. My Sedan scraped the trail a bit while getting to the campsite so make sure you have ground clearance and you will be all set.

J

Jacob

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Little Sister's Campsite

We loved camping here it was very secluded and we were able to enjoy a nice campfire right under the beautiful Vermont sky. The host Tony was very nice and showed very kind hospitality, he allowed us to use his kayak on the actual pond although there is a pond on the site it's just a small pond that you can swim in if you want or you can go to the hosts main house and go in the real pond. I fished the big pond and caught a ton of yellow perch and some catfish in the pond by the site. We definitely would love to come back again someday.

M

Mike

August 2025

Tent

With pets

3 nights at Timbertrail Farm

Beautiful spot, great privacy and amenities. Mike the host was super responsive and helpful. The outdoor shower hit the spot.

S

Songjiang

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Timbertrail Farm

The night sky is superb and the sunrise too! Good spot to enjoy tranquility.

P

Peter

August 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Little Sister's Campsite

Great communication! Very nice hosts! Beautiful and rustic camp spot with a small pond in the middle of the forest. They even supplied firewood! Would definitely go back.

F

Fi

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Timbertrail Farm

Our favorite campsite to date! If you’re looking for views, privacy and a nice layout then this is the spot for you. The space was large, comfortable and no view or noise from other campers.

R

Ritwik

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Timbertrail Farm

Lovely views, very welcoming people and a great vibe!

A

Alexis

July 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Timbertrail Farm

We found Mike’s place a few years back and have been coming back every chance we get. The spot is so peaceful and the view is fantastic. The whole field that you get to look out over lights up with fireflies too if you’re lucky. Mike is super friendly too. We’ll keep coming back for as long as he is renting the site :)

E

Esme

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Timbertrail Farm

Beautiful views, very friendly host. We really enjoyed starting here and would come back again. The campsite was well appointed, with table, chairs, grill, composting toilet, and outdoor shower.